CaringBridge Is Funded by People Like You

So many things

I have so many things to tell you. First of all, I got pictures of the quilt that the Roanoke Valley ladies quilting group is making for Dylan Days. It is BEAUTIFUL!! I can't wait to see it in person. Betty told Mrs. Dorothy that they used a special stitch just for you. It's a star stitch and she said they chose that because you are a STAR!!! I thought that was just the sweetest thing. But wait until you hear this...well, I know that you already know, but I am going to tell you anyway. Rob went outside to have a little talk with God tonight and while they were talking, she saw a shooting star!!! Their kitten died today and Josh starting asking lots of questions, so Rob told him that Dylan now has a new kitten in heaven. He asked her if they would get a sign from Dylan that he got the kitten. When she told him about the star, he said, "That was our sign from Dylan that he got the kitten!!"

We had beautiful weather at Chincoteague. We sure missed you! The beach, the ice cream party, and especially at the swim and the auction. Skyler was very disappointed that she didn't get to wrangle ponies because Doc stepped on her foot and squished it, but that's about the only thing she didn't get to do. Cody did his share of wrangling though. One of those wild foals slammed him into the fence. He even got to brand some of the colts this year!! He told me on the way home that he talked to John Wesley about becoming an official Saltwater Cowboy!! I don't know if I'm ready for all that. We sure hated to leave the island and come back to the real world.While we were there, we kept having a little visitor. A dragonfly followed us around all week long. One even landed on my foot at the pool one day and the next day he landed on my hand. He kept sitting there and looking at me. I shared the Dragonfly Story with those at the pool with us. I know that was you joining us on vacation!!

The real world! Guess I am going to have to face the fact that Cody really is a senior now. He had his senior portrait made yesterday. Of course he had to climb the tree and be a clown...but now he is a senior clown. I know I am not ready for this!! We are visiting another college on Monday. Filling out college applications, picking out pictures for his senior page..it's all a bit overwhelming!! OK, more than a bit overwhelming. A LOT overwhelming! He's growing up so fast, I just can't catch my breath. I know that this year is going to fly by. I just can't seem to make it slow down!!

Skyler will be a sophomore. Can't believe that either. She only has three more years!! She's going to focus on her riding this fall. She wants to get back into showing. She and Michele are both excited. She has a few shows coming up. She's been getting me up at the crack of dawn to go and ride. She really does have it in her blood.

Plans for Dylan Days are going really well this year. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors!! There is a cowboy statue the spitting image of you traveling around to all the local businesses that are getting lassoed!! Another great idea! The proceeds are going to two ladies in the community battling cancer. Beth Peterson White and Robin Gupton Clay. I hope that we have another great year. Maybe the sun will shine, but if not, we will just "dance in the rain"!! A little rain hasn't stopped us so far!!!

Cody is at band practice right now. They are recording a CD for Betty Jeanne. He really is enjoying his music. I am glad that he has found his passion. And passion it is. He never gets tired of playing that guitar. You know you led him to his passion right? Last Christmas, he decided to learn to play silent night for you and 30 minutes later, he was playing it. I knew then that he has a gift!! His music is also great therapy...just as riding has been therapy for Skyler and me. I feel closer to you when I am sitting on Cowboy than anywhere else except my special place.

Night Cowboy!! Love and miss you more than all the STARS in the sky!!!!

Love,Mama

The Dragonfly Story

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy waterunder the lily pads, there lived a little water beetlein a community of water beetles. They lived a simpleand comfortable life in the pond with fewdisturbances and interruptions.

Once in a while, sadness would come to the communitywhen one of their fellow beetles would climbthe stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again.They knew when this happened; their friend was dead,gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle feltan irresistible urge to climb up that stem.However, he was determined that he would not leave forever.He would come back and tell his friendswhat he had found at the top.

When he reached the top and climbed out of the wateronto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired,and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap.

As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up,he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonflywith broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beautyof a whole new world and a far superior way of lifeto what he had never known existed.Then he remembered his beetle friendsand how they were thinking by now he was dead.He wanted to go back to tell them,and explain to them that he was now more alivethan he had ever been before.His life had been fulfilled rather than ended.

But, his new body would not go down into the water.He could not get back to tell his friends the good news.Then he understood that their time would come,when they, too, would know what he now knew.So, he raised his wings and flew offinto his joyous new life!